Andrew Nembhard of Indiana Pacers finishes one voting point away from All-Rookie team appearance

Nembhard finished seventh among 2022 draftees in minutes played

Indiana Pacers rookie guard Andrew Nembhard just missed making one of the NBA's All-Rookie teams this season.

Nembhard, who was drafted 31st overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, ended up being one of the most impressive first-year players in the NBA. He played in 75 games and started 63 times for the blue and gold as a rookie, and he finished seventh among first-year players in minutes played. He proved to be a needed piece for Indiana.

That's why head coach Rick Carlisle called him a top-10 pick during the season. "Every night, he keeps proving me right about that," Carlisle added.

Nembhard finished his first season with averages of 9.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. His defense was extremely impressive, and he often had the hardest matchup for Indiana.

He also dazzled by being effective in multiple roles. He showed off prowess both as an off-ball threat with the starting five and as a lead ball handler when Tyrese Haliburton was out with an injury. Nembhard is a valuable piece for the Pacers.

That's why it is a bit surprising to see the 23-year old miss out on making one of the NBA's All-Rookie teams. He proved his value in multiple ways, yet he still finished 11th in the voting points.

Nembhard was 10th among his draft class in points per game, 18th in rebounds, and second in assists. He also had decent efficiency for a first-year player and provided quality defense.

In the end, that wasn't enough to make an All-Rookie team. Nembhard finished 11th among vote getters, one spot away from making the second team, with 46 voting points.

All of Nembhard's points came from second team votes. Meanwhile, Tari Eason of the Houston Rockets finished with two first team votes and 43 seconds team votes. So while Eason got fewer total votes than Nembhard, his two first team votes pushed him ahead of the Pacers rookie in total points.

The complete voting results for the 2022-23 Kia NBA All-Rookie Team: pic.twitter.com/zfSjo4c2i5

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 8, 2023

Jeremy Sochan and Jabari Smith Jr also finished near Indiana's second round pick in voting points, but they both received a spot on the All-Rookie second team. Nembhard did not.

Just behind the Pacers rookie is Shaedon Sharpe from the Trail Blazers and AJ Griffin from the Hawks.

All-Rookie team selections have no contractual or team building benefits, so there is little loss for the Pacers or Nembhard. But accolades of any kind are always nice for deserving young players, and Nembhard just missed that opportunity.

His teammate, Bennedict Mathurin, landed on the All-Rookie first team. The Pacers have now had two All-Rookie team members in the last two seasons.

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